el tiempo es dinero
Lemma Details
Translation: time is money
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This Spanish phrase is a direct translation of the English proverb 'time is money', which is attributed to Benjamin Franklin who wrote it in his 1748 essay 'Advice to a Young Tradesman'. The concept expresses that time is a valuable resource that can be used to make money, and wasting time means losing potential earnings. The Spanish version uses 'el tiempo' (time) and 'dinero' (money, from Latin 'denarius', an ancient Roman coin).
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 90%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
No puedo esperar más, el tiempo es dinero y tengo otros clientes esperando.
I can't wait any longer, time is money and I have other clients waiting.
Para un consultor que cobra por hora, el tiempo es dinero en el sentido más literal.
For a consultant who charges by the hour, time is money in the most literal sense.
Recuerda que el tiempo es dinero, así que no lo malgastes en actividades improductivas.
Remember that time is money, so don't waste it on unproductive activities.
Mnemonics
- Think of a ticking clock (tiempo) with dollar bills or euro notes (dinero) flying out of it with each tick.
- Imagine a time machine that produces coins every second it operates.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is widely used in Spanish-speaking business contexts and everyday life to emphasize the importance of using time efficiently. It reflects values of productivity and efficiency that are common in modern capitalist societies. The phrase is used to encourage people not to waste time and to focus on productive activities.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: This is the reverse of the original phrase and changes the meaning significantly. While 'el tiempo es dinero' suggests that time can be converted into money through productive work, 'el dinero es tiempo' suggests that money can buy you time or freedom.
Confused word:
El dinero es tiempo, si tienes suficiente puedes jubilarte antes.
Money is time, if you have enough you can retire earlier.
Notes: The original phrase 'el tiempo es dinero' is much more common and widely recognized.
Mnemonic: Remember the correct order: first comes time (input), then comes money (output).